Steve Barancik (It's my site!)

by Steve Barancik (webmaster)

Hey, everyone. I'm rather excited about this. Writer-visitors have been asking for a community aspect to the site for years, and finally I've got something to offer!

I plan to participate a lot here. Brainstorming other writer's problems has always been one of my talents. I'm much better with brewing up ideas for the people's stories than I am my own! (This is why, in Hollywood, instead of being a writer I probably should have been a producer. Oh, well.)

Just so you know, one of my favorite pages on the site is about my own solutions for writer's block, born of working with some of the finest story minds in the movie business. And hey: these ideas work on any form of fiction.

The page has plenty of ideas, and if those aren't enough, you'll find links to my ebooks as well.

Finally, I want to say something about the benefit as a writer of owning one's own website...

I hate downtime. I support myself with my writing, so there's nothing worse to me than spending a whole day (or more!) trying to pound through writer's block and get my story moving again.

That is why I love having a site. On any given day there are an infinite number of different writing assignments I can give myself, so if I'm stuck on one thing I go to another.

I use a suite of software tools that perform at their core something called "keyword research." Keyword research tells me what information people are using the search engines to find in my chosen niche: children's books.

Essentially, my keyword research spits out a list of subjects to write about! That's right...a whole roster of writing assignments that need doing. I pick one for the day and do it!

If that sounds like heaven, I recommend reading this: Get your writing assignments here.

(Have I mentioned I make good money doing this?)

Well, I hope you posted a writer's block problem or offered your opinion on someone else's, and I hope you subscribed to The Writer's Block Writers Forum. See you around!

Steve

Janeen Eckhart

by Janeen Eckhart

I'm the first person who posted! No one can ever take that away from me.

;-)

Okay, I'm just someone who is 27, has a real job (ugh) and wishes I had my dream job: writing YA novels.

Also, I have to say that I think this forum is a BRILLIANT idea. Just by trying to explain to everyone my problem with my title, I actually got unblocked! I don't think I came up with any great titles (I wrote down about 12), but they were in a totally different direction than previous titles, so that's good.

No, that's GREAT.

Steve, I like what you say about working out your "writing muscles." I'll be back!

Julius Roberts

(North Port, Florida USA)

Hello to all,

My name is Julius and I have always wished to write, or wait a minute, I have always loved a good story! That's better! Anyway recently I have been investigating the internet and what it has to offer me as a dabbling writer/salesman/entrepreneur/Story Lover.

What I have been through is a couple of years learning that a lot of folks make a living preying on people like me. Now my first instinct was "I want to do that". Then after some self awareness I realized that is not my true goal. Somehow I believe that my life's journey may be of use to someone and I would like to make a difference in that person's life. So my desire is to write for those that may need encouragement at the same time satisfying my insatiable desire to tell stories.

When I refer to stories I really mean talk to folks. To me every time one chooses to speak we should attempt to paint a picture. In essence a story! My "stories" need to be refined. That is why I am here. To hopefully find some guidance that does not require my credit card number every other day. You see, this is new territory for me as well. As I have told these stories for the better part of my life I have never written anything down. I actually praised myself for being capable of accomplishing things mostly from memory. Never needing to pull up a file or look up a customer. Just doing it. But now as I look back I realize that what was missing is the document, the proof of what I have done or not done.

I say this because I have older children and younger children. My older kids were there through the struggles and my younger ones have no clue. The other day I was talking lawn mowers with my 9 year old son and we get to talking about metal. So I tell him about the time when Dad used to scrap metal to pay bills. Which leads to all sorts of questions about prices of metal and where do you get it and why do people pay for junk and where do you sell it. I immediately thought to myself "he was not there". I know it's obvious now but at the time I never really thought about the fact that most of my life was without him. I had years of stories that I wanted nothing more than to fill my little man's head with. I desired him to learn from my experience. What to do, I now had a reason to share my journey of life. A reason to write it down.

So as not to go on forever I am here to create some writing habits to be proud of. Anyone experienced that would like to shed light on the road to writing please respond. I need help with sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and the like. I am sure it is obvious in this post.

I would like to wish a pleasant day to all and look forward to corresponding.

Regards,

Julius

Glenda, the not so good witch of North Hollywood

(North Hollywood, CA)

Hi. I'm an aspiring children's book author (with no children to read to).

:-(

I enjoy this site's spirit and hope this forum really turns into something. How about we all start spreading the word!

Lindsay K.

(Kansas City, MO)

I'm a mother of two who are getting closer and closer to leaving the nest. Finding a job these days seems impossible, so I'm concentrating on my writing. Who knows? If it works out, maybe I won't need a job!

Comedian Marvin Lee

(Writer and Illustrator Too)

Hello all,

I'm a professional stand-up comedian by trade but I've been thinking about working on my first children's book. I'm thinking that my writing skills as a comic will help me but more importantly I'm a very good illustrator and graphic artist. (I consider myself more of an illustrator than a graphic artist since I can make art WITHOUT the need of a computer.)

I figure most people here want to write because they love kids. Not me. I have two crumb snatchers of my own and I'm starting to like them now that they are starting to become interesting. (Baby's are just Sooooo boring to me. Just little balls of bodily fluids, ready to squirt, drip, leak and throw up all over you.)

My point is.

I never wanted kids.
I never asked for kids.
I wasn't equipped to deal with kids.
I couldn't afford kids.

and after a conspiracy of the all the women in my family... I got kids.

My point is I figure there is a market for the type of books I have in my mind where they are meant for kids but they have some underlying innuendo that will keep the parents interested or at least go "I've been there brother."

I'm working on two titles now:

Daddy and the Claw (Or just The Claw.)

and

"Bad Daddy!" "Which is what my daughter says to me as she rats me out to her mother.

If anyone is interested in a illustrator or just curious about me as a professional comedian please visit Comedian Marvin Lee.

Brian W. Martin

(Maple Grove, MN, U.S.A)

Hello,

My name is Brian and I am just beginning to write and illustrate children's books. I am 26 and I've been told since I was very young that I should be doing this because of my detail oriented illustrations. My only problem is that I've never been much of a writer or to be honest I guess I've never really tried so I don't know if I am or not. I stumbled on this website and It seems like it could be a great resource for me.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm certain that you'll be hearing from me again :)

My name is Lisa.

I have had a book in my head for years. And I finally wrote it down. I want to write children's books. so my picture book is an ABC book on the Bible. On each page is A is for followed by a word and a Bible verse. My artist friend is in the process of illustrating it. I just want to see if people will buy it and if not, then i can always read it to my children. I think I have written 5 ABC books on the Bible so far. I have a Book on Moses, Jesus and Joseph's life.

Kristy Rowbotham

I just wanted to introduce myself. I have several childrens' book "manuscripts" that I would ideally like to get published. However, I am at a loss as to the next step I need to take in this process, and am open to feedback.

Sincerely,

Kristy

Jennifer DeNivo

(New York)

Hi! I just published my first children's book! It's called "Sneaky Sam" by Jennifer DeNivo. I am trying to spread the word about it, but I am unsure how to get it out there. Any advice?

Grandma Brosie

by Barbara
(Elmira, NY, USA)

My name is Barbara aka Grandma Brosie. I'm a beginning writer and want to read the forum and be able to participate in it.

Hello, my name is Barbara

by Barbara
(Elmira, NY, USA)

and I've started writing. Descriptive essays are something that I really enjoy.

Rebekah

Hi Everyone,
I'm currently not facing writer's block, but I have in the past. For me, writer's block occurs when I allow the fear of failing/over analyzing my writing overtake my ability to move forward. We have to reach a point where we love what comes out more than the desire to please others. That is when, I believe great writing is produced.

Thanks and Good Luck,
Rebekah
secondworldbook.com